Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development strengthens financing ecosystem with 7 integrated programmes to support enterprise growth

Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has overhauled its financing ecosystem with seven integrated programmes designed to support Emirati entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs across different growth stages. Announced on 20 July 2026, the initiative aligns KFED’s financing architecture with the objectives of the Falcon Economy and the strategic growth priorities of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, providing tailored options from business inception through expansion and digital transformation.

“Enhancing our financing ecosystem represents a major shift in Khalifa Fund’s financing strategy. It underscores our determination to keep pace with the rapid transformations within the SME sector, develop more flexible and impactful solutions, and actively support national priorities. Our goal is to strengthen the UAE economy, diversify its resources, and ensure its readiness for the future,” said Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development.

Programmes and strategic focus

The reconfigured ecosystem responds to a comprehensive evaluation by KFED that included benchmarking studies, market analysis of banking and financial solutions, and direct engagement with entrepreneurs through surveys and workshops. The aim was to identify financing gaps and design products that better match the needs of Emirati enterprises while increasing the economic impact and sustainability of funded businesses.

• First-time Founders Loan — targeted at Emiratis launching new ventures, to provide essential start-up capital and strengthen financial foundations at inception;
• AI & Robotics Loan — created to accelerate adoption of advanced technologies in SMEs, driving operational and production efficiency and promoting digital transformation;
• Revolving Loan — a flexible facility that allows enterprises to draw, repay and reaccess financing limits to support working capital and cash-flow management;
• Small Loan — a specialised product for modest financing needs;
• Working Capital Loan — designed to address day-to-day operational liquidity requirements;
• Fixed Assets Loan — to finance capital expenditures and equipment purchases;
• Expansion Loan — to support scaling and market-entry initiatives for growing enterprises.

Each programme includes distinct financing criteria, eligibility requirements, repayment terms and limits tailored to the enterprise’s nature and stage of growth. KFED emphasised that the new framework links financing decisions more closely to economic and social impact, aiming to channel capital into opportunities that yield high value for the national economy.

Context and expected impact

KFED describes the redesign as more than an increase in product choice; it is a methodological shift intended to prioritise sustainable development and measurable economic outcomes. “More than expanding the options available, this strategic move represents a shift in our financing methodology, ensuring solutions are more closely linked to economic impact and sustainable development,” Al Nasri added. The fund intends the measures to accelerate expansion, improve competitiveness in an innovation-based economy, and cultivate entrepreneurship within the Emirati community.

By bridging financing gaps for early-stage founders, promoting AI and robotics adoption, and improving liquidity management through revolving facilities, KFED aims to enhance the resilience and scalability of SMEs — positioning them as key contributors to economic diversification and long-term competitiveness across Abu Dhabi and the UAE.